For some reason since both MEA & Saudia have joined Skyteam, Delta has not updated any of their skyteam stuff to include the new air lines (at least at LGA) and not in their inflight magazine, Sky. Is this because Delta Doesn't codeshare with them? Or is it something bigger? and if so doesn't all alliance members have to approve new members? Why would DL vote yes and then pretend they didn't join, if i'm correct in my thinking?

Delta also fails to have any information on Saudia or MEA on delta.com

As a Delta FF I've contacted Delta numerous times and have been told that for some reason Delta has yet to finalize the details on how many SkyPesos and MQMs you would get for various fare types on Saudia and MEA and when that is finalized all the information will be put on Delta.com

It should be noted that other SkyTeam members, such as Air France and even Vietnam Airlines have managed to work out these details with Saudia and both of them list Saudia as a SkyTeam partner on their websites.

Quoting burj (Reply 2):Delta also fails to have any information on Saudia or MEA on delta.com

As a Delta FF I've contacted Delta numerous times and have been told that for some reason Delta has yet to finalize the details on how many SkyPesos and MQMs you would get for various fare types on Saudia and MEA and when that is finalized all the information will be put on Delta.com

It should be noted that other SkyTeam members, such as Air France and even Vietnam Airlines have managed to work out these details with Saudia and both of them list Saudia as a SkyTeam partner on their websites.

I agree that it is surprising that it has not been worked out as CI and MU were posted the day of or the day after the official annoucement if my recollection is correct. Who knows though, I think DL is trying to be careful due to the "outrage" that was created last year over SV.

Quoting TeamInTheSky (Reply 3):Who knows though, I think DL is trying to be careful due to the "outrage" that was created last year over SV.

More than likely that is the reason why they are not acknowledging SV and ME - they are being overly cautious (and held hostage) to the irrational fear-mongering created last year....
Watch when AR joins at the end of this month, there will be a press release welcoming AR, and AR will be updated in the SkyMiles section on delta.com within a day or two...and how much do we want to bet that there will still be no mention of SV or ME at that time?

Quoting panamair (Reply 4):Watch when AR joins at the end of this month, there will be a press release welcoming AR, and AR will be updated in the SkyMiles section on delta.com within a day or two...and how much do we want to bet that there will still be no mention of SV or ME at that time?

I agree AR will be updated quickly, however, I am not sure if that is the best bellweather as AR already have an agreement with DL (which appears on the Skymiles earning with partners page)

Quoting TeamInTheSky (Reply 3):I agree that it is surprising that it has not been worked out as CI and MU were posted the day of or the day after the official annoucement if my recollection is correct. Who knows though, I think DL is trying to be careful due to the "outrage" that was created last year over SV.

This is what sent up the red flags. Even before I was with DL, I flew with them almost every month and made a point to look at Sky Magazine and updated signage after new skyteam members were announced, so I was surprised month after month that this has been official and not even a sign.

So this year when SV and ME officially joined, Delta kept quiet and made no press releases welcoming the two into Skyteam, unlike the standard press release it issues whenever a new alliance member joins, such as for China Airlines and China Eastern.

RANT on:
Personally it annoys me to no end that Delta has chosen to give in to, IMHO, the unjustified nonsense started by certain groups. Air travel is one of the great ways to bring people and cultures together, but instead, Delta's actions, seem to indicate that it is alright to continue these divisions.... RANT off

Quoting turjo101 (Reply 10):How I wish politics could be left out of Civil aviation...

If we have to believe there is a political motive behind everything then the Spanish, the Chinese, the Czech and the Vietnamese are blocking their airlines from publishing the new SkyTeam members:

Air Europa and China Eastern do not mention MEA and Saudia on their website: (http://www.aireuropa.com/waeam/nl/estaticos/informacion/alianzas.html)
(http://www.flychinaeastern.com/static/skyteam.html)

CSA, China Southern and Vietnam Airlines don't mention the two new members plus China Airlines. China Southern seems to live in the past apparently as they still seem to consider Northwest, Continental and Copa as SkyTeam members. They also claim Mexicana to be a member, plus the unknown airline Italia Airlines.

Why only look at Delta when other airlines are also slow (or negligent) in updating their info?

Quoting n7190jr (Thread starter):Is this because Delta Doesn't codeshare with them? Or is it something bigger? and if so doesn't all alliance members have to approve new members? Why would DL vote yes and then pretend they didn't join, if i'm correct in my thinking?

Quoting 777klm (Reply 13):China Southern seems to live in the past apparently as they still seem to consider Northwest, Continental and Copa as SkyTeam members. They also claim Mexicana to be a member, plus the unknown airline Italia Airlines.

Absolutely hilarious find! That is tragically bad. However, to be fair to CZ they do have this link as well:

I flew 8 segments on MEA during the last two weeks, the SkyTeam membership is all over MEA...in their magazines at Rafic Hariri Airport...everywhere. I even got to use their Cedar Lounge with my Sky Club card. I didnt get Skymiles with them, but my daughter did, since she has an Air France Flying Blue number. During one of their inflight videos, they were showing the press conferences between MEA and SkyTeam and between Skyteam, MEA, and the Ministry of Tourism. In any case, and through the meetings I've had with MEA during my time in Beirut, MEA is aligning first and foremost with Air France before the other carriers, which makes sense. But its moving along, albeit slowly.

And by the way, Saudi Arabian may get criticized for not allowing Jews to travel onboard its planes. But MEA must be the only airline that in its onboard magazine has a page with quotes from famous people on a variety of topics. Featured there are G. Gershwin, some other artists and great minds - and a certain "A. Hitler", with something nice and cuddly he said about arts. Tactless for the least I'd say. What's next? A home story about the life of the Bin-Ladens in Pakistan, with the clan posing and smiling? And don't try to enter Lebanon with an Israeli stamp in your passport, you won't succeed. Ask a certain Elton John, on his way to a concert, he had to fly back and the concert had to be cancelled. Because of an Israeli stamp in his passport.

Quoting Delimit (Reply 9):Saudi Arabia's travel policies with regard to Israel don't go over well in the US. Saudia is bearing the brunt of that. DL will do the absolute minimum required.

The absolute minimum should include listing them as a SkyTeam member along with all the other members AND giving a complete chart showing SkyPesos accrual rates for the different fare types that Saudia and MEA have.

This is important information as some partners give reduced and even NO miles for their cheapest fares...before purchasing a Saudia or MEA ticket it is only fair for a Delta SkyMiles member to know how many miles they will receive.

If Delta has decided they are not going to award ANY miles for ANY MEA or Saudia tickets...then they should say that on their website.